Easters

We've been calling it "Easters" for weeks. Has anyone seen the movie Nacho Libre? Maybe you know why.

I was just about to type the words "I have approximately one hour left of relative stillness and silence" when the crumbs of the cookie I was eating sent me into a violent and ridiculous cough attack. I expect that my napping son's door will crack open in 10...9...8...7... Well, so far so good!

It's a gorgeous day outside - clear, blue, warm, and windy. We spent the hour and a half before naptime playing in the back yard. Jackson went back and forth between his sand box and the baby pool. It's not really warm enough to swim yet, but he enjoyed stomping around in it and transferring sand and water between the two sources. Plus, my son has always loved cold water. I took some of your advice while we were potty training and rinsed him off in cool water when he had easily avoidable accidents. It failed miserably. He thought the cold water was a reward. Awesome. But we're past that now!

Annabeth and I lounged on some beach towels in the grass. She didn't really appreciate the brightness of "Mr. Sun," so I had to make sure she was lounging in my shadow. Eventually the sun's position cast a three foot shadow along the back of our house and, taking a cue from Beckham, we moved into it. Beckham was absolutely thrilled that we were out there with him.

It was great fun. I brought a book outside to read, but I found that I was highly entertained by my son's play. Two months into age three, Jackson seems to have taken a leap forward in communication, comprehension, and creativity. I was alternately amazed and tickled by the things he came up with to say and do. I really can't explain how thrilling and mind-boggling it is to see your child grow before your very eyes. However, I nearly started crying yesterday when he was doing his egg hunt. I had recently looked at our Easter pictures from last year and I realized how grown up he is in comparison. And I thought he was so big then!

Here he was last year.







It was weird to think that on Easter morning last year, we celebrated in an empty living room because we had just moved in. The house was literally only half full.

Easter this year was great. It started out very early for me, but the plus side was being able to get ready in peace while the rest of my family slept. I turned the radio on to KSBJ and sang in the shower.

Annabeth was adorable in her little dress. I had a huge smile on my face the whole way to church and I had to explain to Curt that I still couldn't believe I was bringing a baby girl in an Easter dress. I never thought I'd get to do that. Jackson was super cute himself and was in a great mood. He loved his Easter basket and all his treats.

I had imagined that we would be walking in and out of church in a downpour, but it was only misty at that point. Thank You, Lord! The service was wonderful. I love getting to hear the orchestra and choir on special days. Pastor Gregg even preached from the section of John 20 that I had just talked about on my blog. Since Annabeth had a little bit of a cold, we kept her in the service with us. She slept or sat quietly the entire time. Someone pinch me.

We had a great lunch at my parents' house afterward. The thunderstorm came right as we arrived. By the time we were eating lunch, it was beautiful and blue. Amazing.

Jackson was hilarious during his egg hunt. Every single time he found an egg, he said, "Wha's in 'ere?" Then he would crack it open and yell, "Can'ies!" Then he stuffed his mouth with the jelly beans, sweet tarts, or gum drops. There was very little saved for later. His surprise and happiness stayed at a level 10 on all 25 eggs. That is, except for the egg that his daddy emptied and filled with something else. It went like this. "Look, Bibby! I found anodder one! Wha's in 'ere?" Opens egg. "Dirt." Last year he probably would have eaten that too. See what a difference three makes?

By the way, Annabeth didn't have any epic spit up incidents, but we narrowly missed a diaper tragedy. Thanks to bloomers who took one for the team, it looks like she'll be able to wear her dress again to her dedication service in May.

I already posted all these pics on the other blog, but I'll put them here too for good measure.

Here we are with Cousin Joe at the firefighter/EMT fundraiser. I was so sick that morning. My face looks 9 months pregnant. That's because all my stinking sinuses were about to explode. Curtis dropped me off at the urgent care clinic right after that.








I'm gonna have to throw away those Cadbury Mini Eggs because Jackson doesn't like them and I like them way too much.










Here's Jackson rolling pieces of Trix cereal down his race car ramp.

















This was so funny and so classic Jackson.